Monday, April 09, 2012

Live With Hope

In today’s world many people’s hope is dissipating. Many people are without jobs and they struggle to provide their families the basics of life. Those with jobs often struggle financially as well. People have lost faith in most of their institutions and many of our leaders seem inept. Civility seems a dying characteristic and the world can often seem to be filled with more hatred and violence than love and compassion. It’s no wonder that many people’s faith and hope are shaky. Still, hope is alive. I refuse to give in to pessimism. I have always been an optimist. I’ve always believed that life will get better even when it doesn’t appear to do so. I have always believed that I will receive what I need and so far in my life this has been true. I live in the hope that my struggles have not been in vain and that these very struggles have molded me into the person I am today. I was talking to someone recently about my experience of living in a monastery. I left the monastery 39 years ago. If I was still Brother Dominic I would not be the same person that I am today. I would not have had the same struggles and challenges as I have had living in the world. Our struggles and our challenges define us. Brother Dominic may have turned out very holy or he may have been in therapy. The jury is still out on Michael Brown. Live in the hope that your life is what it is meant to be. Your struggles are creating the person you are meant to be. Don’t let life get you down. Hope is alive that you will be the person you are meant to be and that you will find the life you are meant to live. It’s all a journey and hope is one of your companions.

About Me

I am a 66 year old retired hippie who once lived in a monastery and who strives to live a meaningful life. I enjoy books, music, films, writing, and spending time with my granddaughter. I strive to have a Zen mind and I seek this through the practice of mindfulness and contemplative living. I am an INFP on the Myers-Briggs and a Type Four on the Enneagram. Follow my thoughts on Twitter @tiedyedmystic.